Although there was some curiosity regarding Yamamoto's appointment, judging from the intelligence circulating around the Seireitei recently, it seemed there were no issues.
Many Captains turned their gazes toward the rosy-cheeked Ukitake Jūshirō, genuinely curious about the true strength of this historically sickly Captain.
As the strongest Soul Reaper in the Soul Society, Head Captain Yamamoto had three recognized disciples.
Among them, Captain Kyōraku slacked off all day, but it was rumored that he had recently cleaved a waterfall in two without releasing any Reiatsu—an incredibly exaggerated feat.
His youngest disciple, Naraku Sora, had an even more astonishing track record.
From leveling the Tsunayashiro family mansion to single-handedly suppressing the Quincy clan in the World of the Living, his glorious achievements left even Head Captain Yamamoto at a loss for what to do with him.
In terms of strength, he had already surpassed ninety-nine percent of all Soul Reapers.
Following that logic, Ukitake Jūshirō's strength had to be formidable as well.
Thinking of this, the gazes many Captains directed at Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō were already tinged with a hint of schadenfreude.
When it came to watching others suffer misfortune, they were extremely enthusiastic.
The rest of the meeting consisted of discussing tedious squad duties, such as mission assignments and personnel transfers.
Naraku Sora had absolutely no interest in this. He kept signaling Yamamoto with his eyes, but the old man seemed completely oblivious.
When he finally endured until the end and was just about to slip away, a gentle voice sounded by his ear.
"Sora, do you have some time? I'd like to chat with you."
Naraku Sora turned his head, only to see Unohana Retsu standing behind him in a demure posture, an expectant smile curling the corners of her lips.
Under Sasakibe Chōjirō's weird gaze, the two left the meeting room one after the other.
"Lord Genryūsai, Captain Unohana..."
Yamamoto slowly opened his eyes, revealing a confused expression.
As Unohana Retsu's former teammate, he had a very deep impression of this First Kenpachi.
A thousand years ago, Unohana Retsu had appeared in the eyes of the higher-ups as the most unprecedented and ultimate villain in the history of the Soul Society.
Claiming to have mastered all sword styles in the world, she gave herself the name Unohana Yachiru.
Later, seemingly just to enjoy the thrill of slaughter, Unohana Retsu challenged the long-renowned Yamamoto.
Of course, the final result was an inevitably crushing defeat.
Even if she had mastered all the styles in the world, she had absolutely no room to fight back when faced with his utterly unreasonable raw power.
Fortunately, Yamamoto later felt it would be too much of a pity to just kill her. At the time, the Soul Society was in dire straits, so he invited her to join the original Gotei 13.
When Unohana Retsu abandoned the sword to practice medicine, he still felt it was somewhat regrettable.
However, after experiencing certain events, Yamamoto learned to respect the choices of others.
What he hadn't expected was that, after so many years, he would once again see that familiar look in Unohana Retsu's eyes.
It was filled with an almost tangible killing intent, along with undisguised excitement and anticipation.
The only question was, why would Unohana Retsu look at Naraku Sora with that kind of gaze?
What shady business had this brat been up to behind his back now?
Yamamoto felt his blood pressure rising slightly.
"Sora, the speed of your growth is truly shocking."
On the street, two figures draped in pristine white haori walked side by side. Her gentle voice rang out, making his mind involuntarily settle into a state of tranquility.
"I originally thought it would take at least a hundred years for you to reach the expected level."
"But as time passed, I realized I was terribly wrong. Judging by the current situation, if a little more time goes by, I might miss my chance forever."
Naraku Sora frowned. Seeming to think of something, he suddenly asked, "Captain Unohana..."
"Call me Retsu. We aren't so distant as to be strangers."
"Sister Retsu, I'm actually curious about something. If the inheritance of the Kenpachi title is determined by life and death, does that mean at some point in the future—"
"Either you, or that brute from Squad 11, is destined to die?"
Hearing this, Unohana Retsu paused slightly.
She had never discussed such a topic with Naraku Sora, but judging from his words, the boy seemed to know everything.
But thinking about how Squad 11's Captain Zaraki Kenpachi frequently ran off to the Shino Prison, only to be sent to the comprehensive relief clinic covered in wounds...
She really should have realized it sooner.
The people she valued had a much closer relationship with each other than she had imagined.
Perhaps as early as their time in the Rukongai, Zaraki Kenpachi had already told Naraku Sora about that slaughter in the Zaraki District.
Thinking of this, Unohana Retsu's expression returned to normal, and she nodded slightly.
"This is the destiny of the Kenpachi, and it is my destiny as well."
Hearing this, Naraku Sora grinned.
"Understood. I'll go back and hack that guy Zaraki to death later. That way, Sister Retsu, you won't have to die."
Unohana Retsu fell silent. "..."
Although it looked like he was joking, she could see the seriousness on Naraku Sora's face.
He would absolutely dare to put those words into action.
A hint of helplessness appeared on Unohana Retsu's face, and the corners of her lips curled up slightly.
"Sora, you really are..."
"As stubborn as ever."
Naraku Sora appeared very calm about this.
Although Unohana Retsu's teachings were a bit lacking compared to Yamamoto's, she had still done her utmost for him.
Calling her his teacher wouldn't be an overstatement at all.
If he were to just stand by and watch her seek death at Zaraki Kenpachi's hands out of some so-called guilt...
He absolutely could not accept that.
Ultimately, it was still that guy Zaraki's problem.
In order to enjoy the thrill of battle, he had sealed his own power, which resulted in Unohana Retsu believing it was all her fault.
If Zaraki really wanted to unseal his power, couldn't he just go get hacked up by Old Man Yama to solve the issue?
If once wasn't enough, then twice, or three times.
When it came to curing an itch for a beating, Yamamoto possessed absolute authority.
In the end, the Kenpachis all had stubborn, one-track minds.
Throwing away one's life for a mere title was completely unworthy in Naraku Sora's eyes.
"I wouldn't call it stubbornness. I just think it's not worth it."
"Sacrificing one powerhouse just to birth another—even Old Man Yama would call that foolish if he knew."
Hearing this, Unohana Retsu's lips curled into a pleased smile.
"Then what if the person I invited was you?"
Naraku Sora grinned and laughed. "Naturally, it would be..."
"My utmost honor!"
The next morning, the Captain's proficiency test was held as scheduled.
The location was set at Squad 1's newly built martial arts arena. As for why it was newly built, one would have to ask Head Captain Yamamoto and his beloved disciple, Prison Warden Naraku.
As the Lieutenant, Sasakibe Chōjirō was incredibly helpless about this.
Ever since Naraku Sora joined the Genryū, the majority of the squad's financial surplus had been spent on building new arenas, dojos, and similar structures.
They frequently required maintenance or complete reconstruction every few days.
If the Ōmaeda family hadn't provided a sum of financial support, he might have already started considering cutting the other Captains' salaries by now.
On the spacious grounds, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō bowed, his demeanor full of respect and seriousness for his senior.
"Captain Ukitake, please instruct me."
Looking at the young face opposite him, Ukitake Jūshirō couldn't help but feel a wave of nostalgia. Back when he and Kyōraku took the Captain's test, they were probably around this age too.
Those times were truly wonderful.
"Rōjūrō, you may have already heard some rumors about me. I can tell you with certainty right now that they are all true."
"With Sora's help, my illness has been completely eradicated. So, absolutely do not look at me the way you used to. I am very strong now."
Seeing Ukitake Jūshirō gradually turn serious, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō couldn't help but feel a bit apprehensive.
*Captain Ukitake looks like such a good-natured person; he shouldn't be too ruthless, right?*
Obviously, he also realized he couldn't pin his hopes on his opponent's mercy. So, he drew the Zanpakutō at his waist, took a deep breath, and chanted the release command.
"Play, Kinshara!"
The moment his words fell, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō's Reiatsu surged, instantly skyrocketing to a level ordinary Soul Reapers couldn't hope to reach. Howling winds swept out in all directions, and visible Reiatsu covered the entire arena.
A dancing golden whip filled the arena, emitting sharp, piercing sounds as it cut through the air.
The ground cracked open with hideous fissures, like the gaping maws of giant beasts, swallowing the swirling dust.
Ukitake Jūshirō nodded in approval.
As expected of a genius recognized by Senior Iba. Just this display of his Shikai alone was no worse than any other Soul Reaper Captain.
Facing a healthy Ukitake, Ōtoribashi Rōjūrō didn't dare to be careless, immediately unleashing the strongest technique of his Shikai.
"Kinshara Sonata Number Eleven—"
"Izayoi Bara!"
Kinshara, wreathed in powerful Reiatsu, instantly bloomed, forming countless intertwining ripples that expanded outward.
Brilliant colors lit up amidst the dancing golden whip, and gorgeous rays of Reiatsu burst forth. A magic-like glow rippled, forming an endless, furious barrage of attacks.
Facing a technique that covered all evasion routes, Ukitake Jūshirō's face showed no trace of panic. He raised his right hand and said softly, "Bakudō #81... Dankū."
An invisible barrier tens of meters high materialized out of thin air, standing like a towering city wall in the arena.
Kinshara swept in and crashed against Dankū, stirring up countless visible ripples.
The heavy Reiatsu made the air inside the arena thick and viscous. The bloodthirsty spectators outside the arena occasionally let out excited gasps.
For the Soul Reaper squad members, there were usually no opportunities to witness a battle between Captains.
Compared to the previous two almost one-sided Captain's tests, this one was clearly much more worth watching.
Two figures constantly darted around the arena. A casual strike from either of them would cause the ground to crack and dust to sweep up.
As they crossed paths, Kinshara was blasted away by a casual Raikōhō from Ukitake, nearly hitting Rōjūrō, who had been constantly on the offensive.
Realizing he couldn't pose a threat to Ukitake at this stage, Rōjūrō's expression grew a bit more serious.
"Please be careful, Captain Ukitake."
The golden whip gathered in front of him, and a pillar of materialized Reiatsu shot into the sky.
"Bankai—"
"Kinshara Butōdan!"